Split Up

THE BLURB:
Why does love have to hurt so bad?

Here's a trick designed for walk around, table magic and
live on-the-street performances. It's direct mentalism, but
remains novel and funny. There are six different climaxes; a
good reason why this trick has already become a favorite of
close-up performers everywhere.

Effect:

The mentalist and a woman are at a table where he explains.
"My friend's a magician and he just split up with his long
time girlfriend. She insisted that everything they own be
split evenly. She even cut his cards. WITH A MEAT CLEVER!
But I told him they might get back together. Let me show you
why I think that."

He displays a deck of cards, cut in half, right through the
middle. The woman shuffles them while he writes tow notes.
The woman takes about 26 of the half cards and the mentalist
uses those remaining. "You're the girlfriend and I'll be my
friend" The cards are mixed again and both people choose ANY
unknown card from their half.

Although the woman's choice was free and from a well
shuffled deck, a series of SIX quick and startling climaxes
follow:

    * The first note predicts the mentalist's random choice.
    * The second note predicts the woman's choice.
    * Both parties chose the same card!
    * Both half cards match precisely.
    * All 50 half cards in the deck are different.
    * The only two halves that match are the chosen cards!

Count'em SIX climaxes in 60 seconds!

Split Up Has These Important Features:

    * The split deck is funny and novel.
    * The story line is hilarious!
    * No sleight of hand necessary.
    * The woman's card choice is absolutely FREE.
    * Can be done HANDS OFF!
    * The shuffles are genuine.
    * Can be performed with two people.
    * No extra props are needed.
    * The cards, box and notes can be examined.
    * Reset is automatic.
    * Perfect for table hopping, walk around, or street
magic.

MY COMMENTS:
At first glance, this may seem like Docc's version of the
classic Split Deck. And you'd be right. However a careful
reading of the blurb will tip you that he's not using the
standard gimmicked deck that most of us are familiar with.
In fact, I think this is an exciting improvement. At least,
for close-up, table-hopping, and walk-around it is. The
deck is too small for stage work.

The big difference in this deck is that it can be handed out
to a participant to examine afterwards. Another difference
is that the deck is not cut diagonally from corner to corner
but slightly diagonally across the width of the deck. It's
cased in half a card box (the bottom half) with a rubber
band around it. This makes it very small, indeed, but does
make it look more naturally cut in half than the standard
gimmicked deck. There are a couple of very basic card
sleights in the routine and the half cards make it easier to
perform these sleights, which aren't difficult to begin
with. Docc does provide a non-sleight method, though, in
addition to a method that can be done hands-off, although
that method is not one hundred percent hands-off.

Since many complain about the hyperbole of Docc's ads, I can
tell you that this ad blurb is accurate. And you'll note
that the last two climaxes involving all the cards being
different except for the chosen cards is a great feature
that the standard Split Deck cannot do. The package
includes one 8.5" by 11" inch sheet of instructions folded
and in a poly bag along with the special deck of cards.
Obviously, if you don't like using cards, this isn't for
you. Otherwise, I'm sure that I don't need to say that the
classic Split Deck is one of those props that can play as
magic and mentalism depending on the presentation (like the
Invisible Deck) and Docc's new version improves upon the
original and arguably makes it even better.